Group looking for ‘community stars’

August 18, 2013

STEUBENVILLE - Nominations continue to be accepted for the 2013 Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times' Community Stars.

The annual recognition of the unsung heroes from around the Tri-State Area, scheduled for Oct. 7 at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville, will have a fresh look this year, thanks to the help of Weirton Medical Center, which has signed on as the title sponsor.

"We are thrilled to be a part of such a positive event to highlight those who truly make our community a better place," said Kelli McCoy, director of communications at Weirton Medical Center.

Article Photos

WORKING TOGETHER — Weirton Medical Center has joined the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times in recognizing area residents for going above and beyond to serve their community by serving as sponsor for the newspapers’ annual Community Stars banquet. On hand for the announcement were, from left, Kelli McCoy, WMC director of communications; Dr. Kelly DeVoogd, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the hospital; Dr. Venkata Kella, a general surgeon there; Ross Gallabrese, executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times; and Sierra Quick, communications coordinator for the hospital. -- Warren Scott

Started in 1998, the Community Stars program has had a very simple goal - to honor 10 people who consistently go out of their way to help others, not to receive recognition or to have their names or pictures in the newspaper, but simply because it is the right thing to do.

"We're excited to be able to partner with Weirton Medical Center to present this year's Community Stars awards," said Ross Gallabrese, executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. "Our annual awards dinner has always been special, and with the help of WMC, this year's event should be one of our most impressive, starting with its new name - the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times' Community Stars, Presented by Weirton Medical Center."

Nominees can come from Jefferson, Harrison, Brooke, Hancock and Washington counties. The only criteria is that the men and women whose names are submitted work to make a positive difference in their cities and towns by caring for those around them. Ten will be selected as this year's Community Stars.

"In the past, our nominees have come from just about every community in our region," Gallabrese said. "From Burgettstown to Scio, from Irondale to Rayland -each community has that special person who consistently goes out of his or way to help others."

Each of this year's selections will be profiled in a special souvenir section that will be published in the newspapers before the banquet, and each will receive a special award that night. There are no age requirements or restrictions - past stars have ranged in age from pre-teen through their 80s. Dinner details will be announced shortly after this year's stars are selected.

Nomination forms have been appearing regularly in the newspapers. Submissions are due by Aug. 30 and can be mailed: Jody Wisbith, Attn. Community Stars, Herald-Star, 401 Herald Square, Steubenville, OH 43952. Nominations can be e-mailed to newsroom@heraldstaronline.com or submitted on the Virtual Newsroom sites of the Herald-Star or The Weirton Daily Times.